12.12.08
Recent Reads – December 2008
I’ve been reading a lot lately, and I just hate it when I read too much and cannot post on them. Therefore, today I shall post my recent reads with little reviews next to them.
by Jeanne Birdsall
A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
I loved reading this book. It was so fun! It’s one of those old-fashioned, squeaky clean books full of humor and adventure (and trouble!)
by Robin McKinley
She’s just a beekeeper with a woodright; she shouldn’t be Chalice, second in command. But she is, and she has to deal.
It’s been so long since I read a Robin McKinley book for the first time – and it’s so nice. Her writing is so detailed and enjoyable. It could have been a short story, but it was written into a novel and it’s probably better that way.
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Josie has celebral palsy, which makes her different from everyone else. But she wants to just forget her difference and live.
This book was written in verse. I’ve wanted to read this for so long, and I’m delighted that I finally have. The verses were compelling, and sweet, just like Josie herself.
by Irene Hunt
Julie’s mother has died, so she, with her brother Chris, leaves her father to live with her stern, spinster aunt. She cannot at all imagine what will happen to her.
This is a very old book (I think it was published sometime when my parents were born) but it was so good I decided to include it anyway. The book was detailed, the characters very lovable, and the story charming.
11.08.08
Palace of Mirrors- Margaret Peterson Haddix
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Cecelia is not a normal peasant girl. Actually, she’s the real princess, raised up in this remote village so as to keep her safe, while Princess Desmia is merely a fake used to trick the people who killed her father and mother, the King and Queen.
But when Cecelia goes to claim the throne, she meets with challenges she had never imagined.
I approached this book with caution. I wasn’t sure what to expect, because I’d read Just Ella, which took place in the same universe (and which focuses on Ella Brown, who reappears in this book), I found it boring. Even now I remember it as predictable and not very impressive.
But Palace of Mirrors surprised me. The plot was entertaining and diverting, and the characters intriguing. It’s the sort of book that has both nice parts and parts that don’t seem to fit. The ending seemed too happily-ever-after, and the explanation didn’t seem quite possible. Yet, I think the idea was a good one, and almost pulled off.
Cecelia’s a good narrator, and it was interesting to revisit Ella Brown. It’s not a must-read, but it would be a nice read all the same.
10.23.08
Out of the Wild- Sarah Beth Durst
by Sarah Beth Durst
The Wild was conquered weeks ago by Julie. Or so she thought. But all of a sudden, the Wild swallows one of the three blind mice-only instead of growing, it spits out her father. Rapunzel’s prince.
But Julie’s father is terribly outdated. He doesn’t understand anything around him, and worse-he doesn’t understand how he is fueling the Wild, by doing everything he is supposed to do. So as Julie’s father sets out to rescue a captive Sleeping Beauty, leaving Rapunzel and Gothel as mere pumpkins, Julie has no choice but to follow, knowing that she must stop her father.
This was a wonderful book. I devoured it, and not just because of the newness of it, either (although I do love new books). Julie was an honest character, true to her age and insecurities. The plot was beautiful and sweet, and the other characters-some new, some old-were fantastic.
The plot did start really fast, which launched me straight into the story. It was a wonderful sequel, more satisfying and happily-ever-after than the first one. My only complaint? I wish it was real! I can just begin imagining what I would do, if this book was only non-fiction instead of fiction. 
10.20.08
The Crimson Thread-Suzanne Weyn
by Suzanne Weyn
Bridget is heading the America, the land of opportunity, with her fathers, brothers, and little sister. Her father eventually finds a job as a coachman for the wealthy J.P. Wellington. And with him, Bridget gets a job as a seamstress-but with an American name. Her name is Bertie now.
Then her father then boasts that she can “spin straw into gold”, and Bertie doesn’t know what to do. But then, amazingly, assisted with a mysterious friend by the name Ray Stalls, she is actually able to transform the blue material into stunning gowns made to look as if they are spun with gold. The only problem is, Bertie doesn’t know how to repay Ray, because the one thing he asks for she is unable to give him.
This was a wonderfully imagined book that actually followed the original fairy-tale pretty well. My only problems was that Ray Stalls’s feelings seemed a little unrealistic, and the first and last chapter seemed a little irrelevant, unimportant. But other than that, this was a sweet, romantic story.
I’ve always been interested in sewing and spinning and things like that, and I loved the way the dresses and designs were such a big part of the novel. (And I admit I love the color.) The Crimson Thread is a wonderfully quick read, and Bertie is a nice, realistic girl who I really enjoyed spending my time with.
10.13.08
Into the Wild-Sarah Beth Durst
by Sarah Beth Durst
Julie lives the life of a normal girl in a normal home with normal family friends. But under the pretense, she has some secrets. Under her bed lives a collection of green vines. These are the Wild, which her mother, Rapunzel (yes, the fairy-tale one), somehow defeated and escaped from five hundred years before.
Besides enduring the monster under the bed, Julie also has to live with her mother’s wide range of friends, all fairy-tale characters who also escaped. But the Wild doesn’t just give up. And when the Wild returns, kidnapping Julie’s mother and terrorizing her town, she must go and be the hero in a cruel place which she has underestimated for nearly all her life.
This book was gripping. Nearly every chapter had a cliffhanger ending. The plot is convincing, the intermixing with twists on traditional fairy-tales intriguing, and the characters well-drawn.
What I liked about this book was how the fairy-tale characters regarded the Wild. It had an interesting perspective I’d never heard before, accented by a warning on the back:
Beware of the Wild.
It bites…
The Wild takes hold and doesn’t let go. Just like this book.
09.30.08
Cybele’s Secret-Juliet Marillier
by Juliet Marillier
Paula is accompanying her father on a trip to the city of Istanbul to aquire a certain special artifact. Paula knows, from her extensive research, that the Cybele’s Gift is a special antique of the ancient goddess, Cybele, rumored to be able to bring fortune and luck to whatever family owns it.
Of course, Paula and her father are not the only ones seeking Cybele’s Gift. There are many merchants in the race, all hoping to be able to collect it. When they arrive in Istanbul, they discover that Salem bin Afazi, Paula’s father’s colleague, has been murdered, the killer unknown. Suddenly, they must watch their steps more carefully than they ever have before.
This is one of those books. Addicting and lovely. Ever since I read its prequel, Wildwood Dancing, I’ve been excited for this book, and it didn’t let me down.
Paula was an exciting narrator. The ending was kind of predictable, even if I couldn’t precisely tell how it was going to come about, but I liked the unexpected, uncertain events that happened before everything was resolved.
09.13.08
Princess Ben- Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Benevolence (Ben) is the niece of the king of Montagne. But when the king and Ben’s mother is killed in a mysterious attack, and Ben’s father disappears, Ben becomes the heir to the throne, because Queen Sophia, her uncle’s wife, has not produced any children.
The conninving Queen Sophia becomes the queen regent, and Ben, being the heir apparent, is subjected to torturous princess training.
But Ben, locked up in a tower at night, discovers a secret room, where she teaches herself magic. She is certain that her father and mother where attacked by the Drachensbett, the neighbors and enemies of Montagne. And she will avenge her parents.
Initially, when I started reading, I had a strong feeling this was just another novel about a tomboy princess. But it wasn’t. I was pleasantly surprised.
I loved the way the story mixed in elements from fairy tales. And I really enjoyed Ben’s first-person’s narrative. It’s one of those old-fashioned-y narratives that include words not used very much anymore but not quite archaic yet.
Ben was fun, this book was fun. I really enjoyed reading it.
08.23.08
Nobody’s Princess-Esther Friesner
by Esther Friesner
She’s Helen, princess of Sparta, destined to become the queen. But Helen finds the tasks women are supposed to do-weaving, embroider, etc.,-boring. Instead, she wants to learn how to fight, how to battle, like her older brothers.
So Helen sets out to do what she wants, counting on sheer determination rather than her looks or the gods. And while her attitude may alienate some, they also earn her some invaluable friends.
This book is about the girl who would become Helen of Troy, the girl who would eventually bring about the destruction of a great city with her beauty.
I found a few faults with this book. One, I think, is because this Helen was different from what I’d expected. The Iliad basically portrays Helen as nothing more than a pretty face quickly overcome by Paris with Aphrodite’s help. The Helen of Nobody’s Princess, by contrast, was intelligent and fierce with a big temper. So maybe I was prejudiced, but Helen of Nobody’s Princess didn’t seem to be able to become the Helen of the Iliad.
Another thing might be because I’m a little bored of princess who want to do the stuff boys do. While it’s been some time since I picked up such a book, and this book was definitely unique, I still found a rebellious princess like Helen a little bit of a cliche.
So I wouldn’t recommend this book to someone tired to such princesses, like me. And now that I think on it, I probably wouldn’t recommend it to anyone one very pious because of the easy use of Greek gods in this novel. But to someone who likes those adventurous, girl-power novels? This book was descriptive and fun. I’d say, “Go for it!”
07.19.08
Favorite Books
It occured to me that I was publishing book reviews— but I hadn’t mentioned any of my favorites! So because I really haven’t read any books I feel like reviewing lately (I like to keep my reviewing positive), I decided to do that today. They’re not all in order, but I’ve done my best to sort them out.
by Shannon Hale
Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee is the Crown Princess of Kildenree. As the first born, she is meant to rule after her mother and father die… or at least she thought so.
But things change.
Her brother becomes the heir to the throne. Unbeknownest to Ani’s father, Ani’s mother betrothed her to the prince of Bayern, a neighboring country. Ani is only told after her father dies. So shortly after her sixteenth birthday, Ani sets out to meet the man she is to marry, armed with only a few guards, her lady-in-waiting, and her ability to speak with birds and her horse, Falada.
I really love this book. It is just my favorite book, period. No questions asked.
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins. I didn’t like this book the first time I read it, but the second time I really, really liked it. I think it was a little mature for me, the first time.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. I think it’s my favorite of all her books. At least, it’s my favorite out of the ones I’ve read.
by Jacqueline Woodson
It’s January 1971, and Frannie is living with her parents and deaf older brother, Sean. They live on the other side of the highway, the ‘black’ side. So when a white boy suddenly appeared in Frannie’s classroom, and her classmates take to calling him ‘Jesus boy’, she’s surprised. And when Samantha, her best friend, takes to believing Jesus boy is the real Jesus, come back, Frannie decides to investigate.
I really like this book. Told in Frannie’s light, easy narrative, it’s sweet and light and funny. Yet beneath it there’s a more serious matter. Maybe I like it because the religious issues in the book kind of match what I agree with. I picked it up because it won Newbery Honor, and I didn’t expect to like it very much. Turns out, I did. And a lot, too.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson. Actually, I’m not sure if this is really an absolute favorite. But then, even if it isn’t, it should be on your to read list if you haven’t read it already. This book is lovely.
Jane Austen’s books. I have a feeling that my favorite JA book at this particular moment is Sense and Sensibility, but I also love the rest. I am very good at flipflopping between them, because they are all. so. good.
by Juliet Marillier
Jena lives with her four sisters close to the Transylvania woods, a place of mystery and magic. The five of them find a portal that allow them to go to a dancing glen in the forest on every full moon, where they dance the night away with strang, magical creatures.
But Jena’s cousin, Costi, was drowned in the forest, in a pond. And now his brother, Cezar, wants to revenge him, by cutting down the forest… and killing Jena’s secret friends. To make matters worse, Jena is sure her older sister, Tati, is falling in love with a Night Person, which is forbidden. Can Jena figure out what to do and who to trust, before it’s too late?
Personally, I found this book fantastic. I liked it immediately. I don’t know about you, but books usually have to dwell on me for a while before I like them. Almost all of my favorite books have endured times of indifference from me. Plus, the cover is lovely.
On Pointe by Lorie Ann Grover. This isn’t the best book that I’ve read that’s written in verse, yet it’s my favorite that’s been written in verse. It just rings true.
Strays Like Us by Richard Peck. To be honest, it’s been a long time since I read this book, and I don’t think I’d like it as much as I did before. Still, I can’t help but remember this book.
So this is about all I’ll post for now.
Verity
